1)

What is the gist of the covenant that Lavan made with Yaakov? Why did he begin with the word "v'Atah" (and now)?

1.

Seforno: What he is saying is, 'Now that it is clear that I am not out to harm you, 1 let us make a covenant that will also guarantee that you will not harm me!'

1

Refer to 31:43:1:2*.

2)

To whom (what) was Lavan referring when he said 'v'Hayah l'Eid Beini u'Veinecha'?

1.

Rashi: He was referring to Hashem. 1

2.

Ramban 2 : He was referring to the covenant, 3 including oaths and curses that would take effect on whoever would break it. Alternatively, he was referring to something concrete on which the covenant would take effect. 4

1

Tosfos ha'Shalem (1, citing R. Efrayim): To honor Yaakov, Hashem appeared to Lavan, so Lavan said "see, Elokim is a witness between us."

2

This is also implied by Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan.

3

See Sifsei Chachamim.

4

To which Yaakov responded by putting up a stone (See also 31:52).

3)

Why is there a Hei at the end of "Lechah"?

1.

Ha'amek Davar: The Yerushalmi 1 says that this teaches 'you, and no other' - Also here, I trust you to guard the Bris, for you serve Hashem. I would not trust someone else.

1

Refer to 27:7:152:1*.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes: "V'Hayah l'Ed - Hashem shall be a witness." Perhaps the covenant itself will be the witness?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The word for covenant, Bris, is in the feminine, while the phrase "v'Hayah l'Ed" is in the masculine. It must mean that Hashem Himself should be the witness. 1

1

Ramban may answer that it refers to the concrete item (refer to 31:44:2:2) that would be the witness to the covenant ('Davar' is in the masculine tense).

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